The Mobile County Emergency Management Agency confirmed that
there was no emergency that prompted the outdoor warning system to be sounded
more loudly and for a longer period of time, beginning at about 9 a.m.

"We did a little bit more testing today to test modifications and upgrades to the system," said David Roberts, warning
and communication officer.

A wailing tone that goes up and down for at least three minutes signals an emergency, while a steady tone denotes a test, he said.

Officials test the sirens on the first Wednesday of each month. Roberts said testing had been suspended while changes were made to the emergency system and that it had also been postponed on days when bad weather threatened, so as to avoid confusing the public, he said.

"Today was the first real opportunity with blue skies to test our sirens," he said.

(This post was updated at 2 p.m. to include reaction from emergency management officials.)